It appears that the conservation authorities also have the authority to interfere with the timely repair of critical roadways.
Landowners Seek to Return Conservation Authorities’ Powers to Their Original Mandate
 | By News on the Net (Bio and Archives) Monday, September 10, 2012 | Print friendly | Subscribe | Email Us |
There is a debate at Ottawa City Hall as to whether the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority (RVCA) delayed repairs to a sewer pipe on highway 174. As we understand it, city staff applied in February to do the needed lining repair work on the pipe in question between April 16 and July 31 of this year. This suggests some urgency that the work be done sooner rather than later. RVCA replied to the city that no in-water work could occur between March 15 and July 1 of any given year.
On September 5 during rush hour traffic, a man narrowly escaped injury when his car was swallowed by the sinkhole which has grown to the size of an Olympic-sized swimming pool. Traffic in this area has been a nightmare since then creating a potentially dangerous gridlock for emergency vehicles.
Councillor Blais, working with City staff to understand the events that lead to the dangerous situation, reported that the RVCA was a factor in the delay in repairing the sewer. Mayor Jim Watson has contradicted staff and Councillor Blais, saying the RVCA did not hold up the work.
The real question should be why the RVCA has any say, at any time, regarding repairs (let alone emergency repairs) to municipal infrastructure. Surely a municipality can judge for itself whether repairs should proceed during spawning season or any other season.
It is the position of the Carleton Landowners Association (CLA) that the powers of the conservation authorities should be reduced or removed entirely. Private property owners have had numerous problems with conservation authorities entering their property without warrant and placing restrictions on their right to use the land. Now it appears that the conservation authorities also have the authority to interfere with the timely repair of critical roadways.
We invite concerned citizens and city officials to attend our Town Hall meeting on Thursday, September 13 at 7 PM at the Carlsbad Springs Community Hall, 6020-8th Line Road, Carlsbad Springs where Terrance Green, Barrister & Solicitor of Green and Associates Law Offices will be discussing their class action suit against the RVCA. Mr. Green will be pleased to answer all questions, including those concerning the recent sinkhole in Ottawa’s east end. For more information, see our website at www.carletonlandowners.com and click on Landowner Town Hall Meeting.
